When a person gets injured or during operations, sometimes it is difficult for him to independently expectorate sputum from the respiratory tract. For this, there is a special medical instrument - an aspiration catheter. Its use greatly facilitates the work of medical staff.
Appointment
The concept of "aspiration" is the effect of "suction" that occurs when creating a low pressure. It is also often used to carry out procedures when it is necessary to create a vacuum in the intake of biological fluids.
During operations or in the postoperative period, a special medical instrument is inserted into the patient's throat - an aspiration catheter. It is necessary in order to remove sputum from the respiratory tract, since a person alone can not do this. Catheters are intended for cleaning the trachea and bronchi of the patient. Devices are absolutely safe.
When the patient is on mechanical ventilation, when he cannot breathe without a tracheostomy or bronchotracheal tube, his respiratory tract is filled with sputum and mucus. An aspiration probe is used to remove them. It depends on its quality, how much the pumping-out procedure will be effective and safe for the patient.
Catheter device
An aspiration catheter consists of three functional parts: the body, the atraumatic end, and the connector. Let's consider each part in more detail.
Body. It is a transparent tube made of white colorless plastic about fifty centimeters long. Specially treated surface to facilitate insertion into the respiratory tract, the surface makes the catheter satin-smooth. The catheter should not be too resilient, rigid, but not too soft. In the first case, it can scratch the mucous membrane of the trachea. In the second - stick together when sucking sputum. Catheters are equipped with radiopaque bands to determine the position of the device in the human body.
Atraumatic end. Serves for reorganization. Rounded and machined to prevent damage to the walls of the tract. Two oval holes are located just above it , designed for additional drainage of mucus.
The aspiration catheter has another part - the connector. It is located at the opposite end of the tube and connects to an aspirator. The latter is intended for suction of mucous masses. Thus, the connector is a valve for regulating the pressure in the suction tube. It is enough to press with your finger to adjust the suction process.
Connectors are presented on the market in several ways. A guideline for determining the diameter of the catheter is its color. The smallest is green, and the largest is yellow.
Safety precautions
Vacuum-controlled suction catheters must be used in a safe manner. In diameter, it should be half the airway, otherwise the patient may simply suffocate.
With the introduction of the suction should be turned off. Then it turns on for five seconds, turns off and starts working again for the specified time. Only at such intervals is sputum suction allowed.
When using a catheter with a closed aspiration system, it can be left in the respiratory circuit for up to twenty-four hours.
Benefits
The use of such a modern medical instrument as an aspiration catheter helps medical personnel in their work, facilitates the necessary procedures, and controls the condition of patients. But at the same time, such equipment requires professional knowledge and skills. It is unacceptable to use a person who is completely unfamiliar with him.